Page 64 of Miss Understood

“Don’t tell me you were in on this.” I give Mateo a hard stare, and he throws his hands up in defense.

“Promise, I learned my lesson the first time. This was all them.” His head tips to where Kennedy is hanging on Zac and Monica is swatting Carson off her neck. “I tried to warn them, but, you know…”

I do.

Once my girlfriends get an idea in their heads, there’s no backing away from it. And I should have known they would pull something like this. Last week I told them Jesse and I were giving our relationship a real shot, and they were too excited about it. I could see the wheels spinning in their heads as they left.

“Sorry about this.” I turn to Jesse, but to my surprise, he’s smiling.

I used to think Jesse was incapable of a smile. Or at least one that wasn’t devious or full of bad intentions. But that’s another thing I’m starting to learn about him, because lately he seems to smile more than he doesn’t, and I kind of love it.

“It’s sweet of them,” Jesse says, tipping my chin up with his thumb and planting a quick kiss on my lips.

“So this is the man who thinks he can just up and marry my daughter.” A voice cuts through the noise in the room, and I feel Jesse’s whole body stiffen beside me as he shoots up straight.

“Dad?”

Serena gives me a sympathetic look and ducks away with Mateo as my dad comes into view. The look on his face as he glares at Jesse is stomach-twisting enough, but then I spot my three brothers flanking him, and I’m not sure how Jesse hasn’t run for it.

It’s been at least nine months since I saw my dad last Christmas, and although it isn’t that long, given how often I get home with my work schedule, he looks older. It might be the gray taking over his beard, but it’s also the deep wrinkles around his sharp blue eyes, which currently have an icy stare locked on Jesse.

There’s no denying the family resemblance as the four of them close in on us. While I take after Mom, with my blonde hair and softer features, my brothers take after my dad. Dark hair, sharp jawlines. Built, strong, scruffy mountain men.

There’s Liam, the tallest and oldest of my three brothers, and the least friendly. He reaches me first. I pull him into a hug, and he reciprocates with a pat on the back. Although he’s cold, I’ve never minded it, given I’m not the warmest person myself. I find I have the most in common with Liam.

Then there’s Griffin, the middle brother, who gives me an unenthusiastic half hug and doesn’t say anything. He’s never been much of a talker, and, from the way his eyes scan the room, he’s probably looking for an abandoned corner to hide in. But even though he’s quiet, he’s wildly brilliant, and observes everything.

Finally, there’s Miles, the youngest of my brothers, although still older than me by a year. He smiles big and nudges me with his fist before pulling me into a bear hug. Miles is warm in all the ways I’m not, and I appreciate it in this moment.

“Congrats, sis,” Miles says with a giant smile. It shouldn’t surprise me that he’s the only one who seems genuinely excited for me. He’s the heart of the family since my mom died. Always checking in and making sure everyone’s okay. Something even I’m terrible at.

“Mr. Stevens.” Jesse reaches out his hand, and my father catches me off guard by shaking it. “Nice to finally meet you in person.”

Dad nods and looks between us, trying to read me. Liam is standing next to him with his arms crossed. I might as well be a child again, waiting to see if my brothers are going to tackle me to the ground in a tickle fight or give their nod of approval.

“I don’t like this,” Dad finally says. Liam grunts in agreement, but then I realize they aren’t talking to Jesse. Instead, they are both looking at me. “Not only do I find out my daughter is married from a damn email, but then you don’t even have the decency to bring him to Colorado to meet the family?”

“It’s complicated—” I start to say, but Dad cuts me off.

“I’m aware. Jesse explained everything.”

My eyes dart to Jesse, who still looks a little shell-shocked.

“You talked to my dad?” I ask. “How did you even get his number?”

“Mateo,” he says, and I realize I’m caged in, my family on one side and Jesse on the other. An anxious energy vibrates through me. “Once I knew you’d told your father, I thought it was my responsibility to call and explain myself.”

“Like a good man should,” my dad cuts in.

I have to hold my tongue, because I don’t needa mandoing my bidding or asking for permission to date me. Not that my dad would be in agreement with that. He still views me as a sensitive little girl who can’t hold her own.

Jesse holds both my hands with his and squeezes tightly in reassurance, reminding me he doesn’t view me the same way. That familiar sense of being grounded by him settles and my irritation falls away.

“Thank you,” I tell him. While I may not find my dad’s approval necessary, the fact that Jesse reached out, knowing how important my family is to me, speaks volumes.

He nods and wraps an arm around my shoulders.

“So this is a thing now?” Liam says when we face them again. Disapproval is thick in his tone.

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